October 25, 2025 – 10:00 P.M.Blazing Zone, Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico.Bagdad Highway
Unknown man:—Damn… what the hell happened here?
The man moved forward slowly, shielding his face from the suffocating heat. Around him, the desert wind fanned the flames consuming the remains of the metal structure. It wasn't a workshop, nor an ordinary factory. The wreckage made it clear that this place had been something far more delicate… a laboratory completely reduced to ashes.
Peasant (worried tone):—I hope there was no one inside… that would be a huge tragedy.
The stranger didn't answer. He took a few more steps, dodging sparks and glowing pieces of metal.
Peasant:—Wait… what is that?
Amid the flames, something moved. The peasant squinted, trying to focus. His face shifted from confusion… to pure horror.
Peasant (trembling):—I-is that…?
A humanoid silhouette emerged from the heart of the fire. Its body showed severe burns, skin peeled back, muscle exposed… yet it kept walking. It was missing an arm, and through the smoke and flames, a single eye shone as if it had its own light.
Peasant (shouting, frozen between fear and compassion):—A-AH! Are you okay!? Do you need help!?
The figure walked through the fire and finally came fully into view. The smell of burnt flesh filled the air. It breathed with rage, each exhale stirring ash from the ground.
It was Javier.
Javier (thinking, teeth clenched):DAMN OLD WOMAN! I ALMOST GOT DISINTEGRATED IN THERE! SHE'S COMPLETELY CRAZY! WHAT THE HELL WAS SHE THINKING!?
The peasant fell backward, crawling helplessly over the parched ground as he watched Javier with indescribable terror.
Peasant (trembling, voice breaking):—W-what are you…?
Javier slowly turned his head toward him, first with indifference… then with a wide, inhuman grin.
Javier (smirking mockingly):—Huh?
In the blink of an eye, he vanished from view. The peasant barely had time to inhale before feeling the impact. Javier's remaining arm drove through his chest, piercing flesh, bone, and lung as if they were nothing. The air filled with a thick gush of hot blood.
The peasant opened his mouth to scream, but only expelled more blood, choking on his own shattered breath. Tears welled in his eyes.
Javier leaned forward until he was face-to-face with him, calmly watching the fear in those dying eyes.
Javier (low voice, almost gleeful):—Good… it's perfect that you were here just now.I'll have to change bodies.
The laboratory flames continued to roar behind them, casting monstrous shadows across the ground. Javier's burned figure slid forward, enveloping the peasant in an impossible darkness.
The scene turned Dantean: the man's body arched, and Javier's shadow slipped into his chest, sliding like living smoke, sinking into him as the peasant's fingers twisted in final spasms.
A muffled scream, almost drowned by the hellfire, marked the end.
When everything fell silent, the peasant's body stopped convulsing.
His eyes opened slowly.
But now… they were not his eyes.
GAZES: Chapter 3
Wednesday, October 29 – Unknown underground area, dining hall
Leonardo sat alone, in front of a steaming metal tray. The echo of the underground dining hall made every breath sound heavier than usual.
Leonardo (thinking):Ahh… I can't keep going. José's training is too hard. How does he expect me to break 100 dummies in 3 days?Plus, he makes me run countless laps across the entire field… and the worst part is that after that, I still have to train combat with him.
He frowned in anger and defeat.
Leonardo (thinking):THE SON OF A BITCH DOESN'T HOLD BACK AT ALL.
He let out a long sigh, dropping his fork for a moment to stretch his aching fingers.
Leonardo (thinking):Well… at least he hasn't taken away my minimum food.
He took a big bite.
It was as if the world had stopped. His eyes lit up, his shoulders relaxed, and for the first time in days, his expression wasn't one of absolute suffering.
Leonardo (thinking, soul returning to his body):…this… is delicious…
As he chewed, the silence of the dining hall was broken by a sharp thump on the table next to him.
José appeared, tray in hand, deep dark circles under his eyes, messy hair, and a gaze that mixed exhaustion with menace. He sat down across from him, elbows pressing hard on the table.
José (serious voice, eating as if it were his last meal):—Tomorrow… 200 dummies.
Leonardo choked.
Leonardo:—WHAT DO YOU MEAN 200!? WEREN'T THEY 100!?
José (chewing, completely calm):—They were. Past tense. You disappointed me today, so we doubled it. Fate's way.
Leonardo stared at him with empty eyes, dead inside once again.
Leonardo (thinking):…give me back the peace that bite had given me…
José took a sip of his drink and pointed at him with his fork.
José:—Rest. I want you ready at 5 A.M. And this time, if you cry, I'll make you run before breakfast.
Leonardo dropped his forehead onto the table.
Leonardo (whispering):—I want to die…
José:—Also, I still can't believe you've been here for days and haven't talked to anyone. Look at them.
—He pointed at a group of young trainees who had already formed their own circles—
José:—They're all your age. I don't get how you can live so isolated. You just train and eat; you should at least make one friend.
—Leonardo lowered his head—
Leonardo:—It's just that… I don't want to disappoint him. Not you, and not myself. I want to pass the test… and I want to do it in the highest class.
José stared at him in silence for a few seconds, fork frozen halfway to his mouth. His expression stopped being mocking. For the first time since Leonardo had arrived, José didn't look like a coach… but like a human being.
José (calmer):—Listen, Leo… pushing yourself isn't bad. In fact, it's what I value the most in an applicant. But… —he pointed again at the groups of young people laughing, joking and sharing stories— if you lock yourself inside your own head, you'll break before the day of the test.
Leonardo clenched his fists on the table.
Leonardo (thinking):They don't understand… I have to succeed. If I don't, everything will have been for nothing.
José:—Passing into the highest class isn't impossible… but no one does it alone. Here, half the power comes from the team. The body, skill, and mind matter, yes… but the people who walk with you make the difference between getting there alive… or not.
Leonardo lifted his gaze. His eyes showed exhaustion, yes, but also a rough, immature… genuine determination.
Leonardo:—I just… want you to be proud. And I want to feel proud too. If I talk to others, I'll waste time… and if I waste time, I'll lose my chance.
José placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
José (grave and sincere):—You won't lose it just for opening your mouth, kid. I'll tell you something important… remember this:"The strongest aren't those who train the most… but those who know how to lean on others when they can't go on."
Leonardo looked at him, surprised. He hadn't expected to hear something like that from him.
José returned to his usual tone, serious… but lighter.
José:—Finish your meal. After that, I'll introduce you to a couple of applicants. I'm not asking —he raised an eyebrow— consider it part of the training.
Leonardo took a deep breath and nodded.
Leonardo:—Alright… I'll try.
José smiled briefly.
José:—That's what I wanted to hear.
The scene fell into a different kind of silence. Not comfortable… but necessary. Like the first step of something that was just beginning to turn.
October 29, 2025 — 1:00 P.M. — Outside, open area
José crossed his arms and pointed ahead.
José:—Alright. These are the people I wanted to show you, Leo.
Leonardo looked up and observed the two individuals in front of him.The first was a boy with blue hair, a stern expression, and furrowed brows; he stared at the ground with obvious annoyance, as if being there were a waste of time.The second was a girl with short pink hair. Her presence completely contrasted with the other: she radiated a calm so warm that even the air around her seemed softer, almost peaceful.
Leonardo stayed silent for a few seconds, waiting for one of them to say something. No one spoke.A push on his back snapped him out of his mental block: it was José, signaling that he should introduce himself. Leonardo swallowed hard, straightened up — too stiffly — and spoke out loud.
Leonardo:—Nice to meet you! My name is Leonardo.
The girl let out a little giggle, covering her mouth with her hand, lightly mocking how overly formal he sounded.The blue-haired boy simply raised an eyebrow, looking at him as if witnessing the strangest thing in the world.
Leonardo froze, feeling a cold drop of sweat run down his neck. Embarrassment weighed heavily in his stomach. He took an awkward step forward, trying not to mentally collapse.
José clapped his hands and took control of the conversation:
José:—Alright. Here's the situation. The three of you will train together today. It will be a simple session. —he pointed back with his thumb— Near here, there will be two black spheres moving around the area. Your task is to catch them and return immediately to the goal.
He pointed to an improvised goal made from two crooked sticks and a slack rope.
For a second, all three students thought the same thing:
"Seriously? That goal looks like it was made in five minutes."
José continued, completely ignoring the collective vibe of disappointment.
José:—Since there are three of you and only two spheres, the first two to return will receive a prize. The last one… well, the last one will suffer the consequences. Now, move!
The three fell silent for a moment, processing the ridiculous rules of the training.
Blue‑haired boy:—Tch… and this isn't supposed to be a waste of time?
Pink‑haired girl (making a small curtsey with a light smile):—I'm Aylin, nice to meet you, Leonardo. Let's work together… or at least until I get my ball.
The blue‑haired boy barely looked up, showing clear annoyance.
Blue‑haired boy:—Zen.
He said only his name and looked away again, as if he didn't even want to be there. Leonardo smiled awkwardly, raising his hand in a clumsy wave that nobody returned.
José stepped back two paces, stretched his arms and cracked his neck with a sadistic grin.
José:—Alright. Rules are simple: direct attacks against each other are forbidden. You can block, trick, shove if you want… but if you hit someone on purpose, you're disqualified. The spheres will be running across the field at high speed, so you'll need strategy.
José raised his hand.
José:—On the count of three we start. Ready?
Leonardo swallowed.Aylin took a deep breath, focused.Zen didn't change his expression, but his legs were already set to sprint.
José (with a smile that promised pain):—One…
A strong wind blew.
—Two…
Leonardo felt a chill. This time, he didn't want to be the weak one in the group.
—Three…
José slammed his hand down.
José:—RUN!
At that moment, two black spheres shot out from the ground at an absurd speed, bouncing through the air as if they had a life of their own, heading in opposite directions.
Leonardo (shouting):—WHAT KIND OF SPEED IS THIS?!
Aylin sprinted forward with light, precise steps, focused on the sphere heading left.
Zen ran after the other silently, like a predator on the hunt.
Leonardo… started late, having wasted a second yelling.
José, arms crossed, just smiled with satisfaction.
José (thinking):This is going to be good.
—Leonardo ran, first aiming toward the girl, thinking it would be easier.—
Leonardo (thinking):If I catch it before her, I could pass the test quickly…
Aylin glanced sideways, frowning as she noticed Leonardo closing in. Her friendly smile had vanished; now she wore the focused expression of someone unwilling to lose.
Aylin (thinking):Tsk… so you're going for the same one. I'm not letting you catch it.
The robotic sphere made a sharp turn to the right, almost mocking them. Leonardo tried to follow its movement but nearly slipped on the loose dirt, barely regaining his balance.
Leonardo (grunting):—WHY ARE THESE DAMN BALLS RUNNING SO FAST?!
Aylin didn't respond. Instead, she stretched her right hand forward. A pink glow appeared around her legs, making her steps lighter, as if the air itself was pushing her. Immediately, her speed increased, moving away from Leonardo with grace and precision.
Leonardo's eyes widened in surprise.
The robotic sphere made another sharp turn to the right, almost taunting them again. Leonardo mirrored the move but almost fell on the loose soil, barely keeping his balance.
Leonardo (grunting):—WHY ARE THESE DAMN BALLS RUNNING SO FAST?!
Aylin didn't respond. Instead, she stretched her right hand forward; a pink glow enveloped her legs, making her steps lighter, as if the air itself was pushing her. She increased her speed with elegance and precision, pulling away from Leonardo.
Leonardo's eyes widened in surprise.
Leonardo (thinking):What the hell was that? Did I see that right? Something pink glowed on her… almost like in me.
Aylin smiled without looking back.
Aylin:—Everything's fair, Leonardo. José said it: strategy… and skill.
The sphere changed direction again, this time rising a few centimeters and bouncing off the dry trunk of a solitary tree. Aylin calculated the movement, made a short leap, and extended her hand as far as she could.
For a moment—half a second—she thought she had it.
But the sphere escaped again.
Aylin landed on one knee, gritting her teeth.
Aylin (thinking):It's learning my timing. Does this thing… have intelligence?
Leonardo arrived a few seconds later, breathing as if he had been running nonstop for days.
Leonardo (thinking):I can't keep up with her… but that glow… of course! It's genetically modified too. That's why it has so much endurance. Damn… if only I could use my power.
Aylin looked at him, a mix of teasing and curiosity.
Aylin:—You're going to have to think differently. If you chase someone faster than you, you'll always be behind.
Leonardo's pride hurt a little, but his eyes remained steady.
Leonardo (thinking):It doesn't matter if she's faster… I'm not losing that easily.
Then, a roar echoed in the distance. Both turned.
A cloud of dust rose like an explosion on the other side of the field.
Zen.
He had ripped a tree out of the ground, trying to crush the other sphere.
Leonardo:—…what the hell?
Aylin, swallowing:—Okay… I guess we really have some competition.
Leonardo stood, determined. He looked again at the sphere in front of them. And when Aylin looked away for a second, he shot toward the ball.
Leonardo (thinking):It doesn't matter if I'm not the fastest… I have to find my way.
Aylin:—Hey! That's cheating!
Leonardo chased the sphere through the trees, tripping several times but never stopping. Aylin followed behind him, closing the distance rapidly.
Leonardo (thinking):I have to find a way! How can I go faster? Think, think!
Aylin caught up to him and, in the blink of an eye, overtook him.
Leonardo (thinking):Damn… what should I do?
Leonardo slowed down gradually, until he came to a complete stop. He clenched his fists, frustrated.
Leonardo (thinking):Okay… calm down. No one has caught the ball yet, and there's still time. If I do this like a normal person… I'll never make it. I have to feel that energy.
He took a deep breath, focusing his gaze straight ahead.
Leonardo (thinking):Focus. There has to be a way to activate my inner strength. It's supposed to feel like a spark that starts in your stomach and flows through your body. But now… I have to direct it only to my legs. Remember what you've practiced these three nights. From the moment you arrived… until today.
Memories flooded him: sleepless nights, searching for this power, trying to awaken something he barely understood. As he visualized each attempt, he felt it.
A spark.
An inner fire.
Leonardo's eyes widened in surprise, but he couldn't get distracted. If he lost focus, he'd lose the energy too.
His breathing became intense, deep, steady. The spark grew, transforming into a torrent that flowed through his body. A yellow glow enveloped him from his abdomen down to his legs. His eyes turned golden.
As soon as he managed to channel all the energy into his muscles—
BOOM!
Leonardo shot forward, leaving a crack in the ground behind him.
Further ahead, Aylin was about to catch the sphere.
Aylin (thinking):Did he give up? Well… I guess this one's mine—Wait… what's that feeling? Something's coming from behind me…
She turned, and only saw a yellow streak pass by her side. When she looked forward again, Leonardo was already there, hand outstretched.
—I got it! —Leonardo exclaimed, grabbing the sphere.
But at that moment, the sphere began to glow intensely, and its size started increasing.
Leonardo (thinking):What the hell…?
The sphere kept growing until Leonardo could no longer hold it. He jumped back, watching the device rise to almost four meters in height. Aylin froze as well, impressed by how massive it had become.
Then, the metallic surface began releasing smoke from multiple vents, and hidden panels slid to the sides. From within emerged two enormous mechanical arms, then articulated legs, and finally a head with a single red visor glowing like an eye.
Leonardo, eyes wide:—What the hell is that…?
The machine took its first step. The ground trembled. Lights on its chest flickered with a deep hum, and a sharp beep echoed through the air as it fully activated.
Leonardo and Aylin exchanged a glance. No words were needed: both stepped forward, adopting combat stances. The machine easily surpassed them in height and mass—it was twice as tall as both of them together, and three times as wide.
And yet… it lunged at them.
Meanwhile, Zen sprinted after the sphere with a blue aura expanding with every step. He didn't look human—he looked like a released beast. Branches, rocks, and young trees were smashed beneath him without slowing his pace. In a matter of seconds, he leapt, extended his hand, and—he caught it!
Zen (smirking arrogantly):—Heh… this is too easy.
Without wasting a second, he spun on his heels and headed toward the goal, where José waited with his arms crossed.
José:—Wow, Zen. You're the first to catch the sphere. Congratulations.(he smiles slightly)Looks like Leonardo and Aylin won't have it so easy. I guess something interesting must have happened back there.
Meanwhile, Leonardo and Aylin were barely dodging the strikes of the giant robot. Its mechanical arm swung down like a hammer, kicking up dirt every time it missed its target.
Leonardo (thinking, desperate):Damn it… this thing doesn't give me time to focus my energy. It's too fast. And Aylin… without her equipment, she's just as screwed as I am. Tsk… there has to be a way!
Aylin (shouting):—LEO, NEXT TO YOU!!
Leonardo:—What—?!
He didn't finish his sentence. The robot's metallic arm slammed into him, sending his body flying like a projectile, crashing brutally into a tree. The trunk creaked, leaves shook, and Leonardo fell to his knees, coughing up blood, gasping for air, vision blurred.
Aylin screamed his name.
The robot took another step, making the ground tremble, and began advancing straight toward Leo to finish him off.
The robot raised its massive mechanical fist, aiming directly at Leonardo's head. Aylin saw it, eyes widening in horror. She knew that if that punch connected, Leo wouldn't get up again.
Aylin (thinking, desperate):I have to move… now!
Without hesitation, she pushed her pink energy beyond what her body was ready to handle. Her muscles tensed, veins bulging in her legs, and an intense glow enveloped her entire body. Pain shot through her like burning needles, but Aylin lunged forward.
At the last second, she struck the robot's arm with an upward kick reinforced by her energy. The metal vibrated with a thunderous clang, deflecting the blow aimed at Leonardo. The recoil sent her sprawling backward across the ground, gritting her teeth to avoid screaming.
The robot paused its motors for a moment, readjusting its stance. Leonardo, still on the ground, lifted his head and saw Aylin struggling to get up, trembling from the effort.
Leonardo (thinking, with anger and shame):Aylin… risking her body just to cover me… and I'm lying here like an idiot.
He clenched his fists against the earth.
Leonardo (thinking):I was stupid. I was thinking about beating them… when the real goal was to defeat this thing. This isn't a race… it's a team test.
His eyes filled with determination.
Leonardo (thinking):If she's risking her body… then I have no right to stay here.
The yellow glow began to awaken within him again.
Leonardo (thinking):Now that I know what I have to do, I won't let this thing knock me down again.
The yellow aura flared around him. His eyes turned golden, and with renewed determination he lunged forward. Before the robot could strike Aylin, Leonardo appeared in front of her, moving at overwhelming speed.
Aylin watched him, surprised by that sudden agility.
Leonardo:—Aylin, listen. We have to work together if we want to beat that thing. I know it'll be hard without your combat gear, but I need your support. While you distract it, I'll move behind and kick it in the neck. That area looks like its weak spot. Will you help me?
Aylin nodded, serious and determined.
Leonardo:—Okay… let's do it.
Both stood up again, ready to return to the fight.
Meanwhile, at the goal…
José and Zen waited.
José:—How long are they going to take? Did they suddenly need to use the bathroom or what?
Zen (already annoyed):—I don't know… but I'm getting bored. I think I'll go.
José:—Fine. Be careful.
Zen left without another word, and José simply lay down on the ground, taking a nap without a care.
Back on the field, Aylin ran in a zigzag to draw the robot's attention, getting it to chase her. She finally stopped, feigning an opening. The machine raised its gigantic arm to crush her.
It was the agreed moment.
Leonardo was already moving, slipping around the rear with a prepared jump.
But just before the impact, the robot spun on its axis like a metal top. The outstretched arm swept through the air and struck Leonardo full force, sending him flying through the air again.
This time, at least, he managed to recover before hitting the ground, landing on his feet though sliding several meters backward across the dirt.
Leonardo (thinking):Damn, that thing has some kind of sensor; it's not normal that it detected me so fast. Of course — it's a machine — it's not easy to catch it off guard. Fine, I'll have to improvise.
Leonardo:—Aylin! I'm going to be testing things, so I need you to analyze the situation. Tell me what weak points you find, please!
Aylin, still panting from the effort, tilted her head as if analyzing the geometry of their opponent. Her eyes searched for patterns: joints, vents, spots where the metal seemed thinner, or where the seams were less protected.
Aylin (tense, focused):—Listen: it has visual sensors along that red line on the visor… but I also see small thermal plates on the lower torso. Its joints are armored, but the neck —the head-to-torso connection— has less reinforcement. There are also vents on its back; probably reactors or radiators. If you throw it off balance and I expose its right side, we could disable a motor. But be careful: it prioritizes heat and fast-moving threats.
Leonardo nodded, jaw tight. Everything matched what he had sensed when the robot detected him: fast sensors and a CPU that prioritized mobile threats.
He turned toward the machine, closing the distance in short strides, using his yellow energy more controlled and precise rather than explosively. He didn't sprint; instead, he channeled the spark into his legs to reduce ground friction and maintain better footing.
Leonardo (thinking):I'm not going head-on… I have to unbalance it. If Aylin draws it left and I strike the right motor from behind…
Aylin continued distracting the robot, weaving side to side. The machine swung its arms through the air, unable to land a hit. Though the effort pained her whole body, she held her ground: she just needed to buy time.
Leonardo watched carefully, waiting for the perfect moment. The robot made a sharp turn, and as it stopped, its right leg was forward for an instant. That detail was exactly what they needed.
—Now —Leonardo thought.
He surged forward at full speed, ducked to the side, and delivered a spinning kick to the joint of that leg, where the main motor was located. The impact rang metallic, sparks flying. The robot lost its balance and nearly fell, supporting itself on one leg alone.
Aylin seized the opportunity. With the strength she had left, she struck the robot's side with all her might. The metal bent, and the machine became even more unstable.
The robot stumbled, lights flashing across its chest. It began emitting an alarming beep: its protocols entering protection mode. José, still lying down and half-asleep, frowned at the unusual noise; his nap was disturbed.
José (annoyed, opening one eye):—What the hell…?
Zen, still halfway with the other sphere, stopped, his expression shifting from arrogance to surprise.
Leonardo, panting, realized something: the machine responded better to combined attacks and balance disruptions than to direct hits. Their plan was working… but the beast hadn't fallen yet.
Leonardo (shouting):—Now, Aylin! Hit it with everything you've got on the back when I leave it off balance!
Aylin, summoning the last of her strength, nodded and concentrated a pulse of pink energy in her shoulder. Both launched in unison: Leonardo with a charge aiming to drag the robot toward its exposed side; Aylin with a strike targeting the rear radiator.
The impact was like a tidal wave: metal against flesh, spark against spark. The robot collapsed to its knees, dust and smoke filling the air. A final whistle signaled that its systems were at the limit.
In the haze of smoke, Leonardo and Aylin looked at each other: exhausted, battered, but alive. They had won the first round of that impossible fight. Their breathing was deep and ragged; their bodies, small against the fallen mechanical mass, trembled from the effort.
José was already on his feet, brushing off dust as if waking from a nap far too long.
José (with a half-smile):—Wow… didn't see that coming. Well played. You guys alive?
In the distance, Zen, still holding the sphere, watched the scene. His mocking smile from before was gone; his face now showed only a mixture of annoyance and frustration… as if it weighed on him not to have taken part in the fight.
Leonardo, exhausted, let his head fall for a few seconds. He took a deep breath and murmured to himself:
Leonardo (thinking):Teamwork… that was it. It's not just about strength or being on top. It's this.
The robot still struggled to rise, wobbling and damaged. But before it could get up, a silhouette passed in front of them both.
With a single blow—quick, sharp, brutal—José completely destroyed the machine, driving his metal leg into the ground. Leonardo and Aylin froze, eyes wide.
They couldn't believe it.
After so much effort, pain, strategy, focus, injuries, and spent energy… José had destroyed it with a single kick. Just like that. No more, no less.
José:—Oops… I think I grabbed the wrong sphere, guys. Heh, heh…
He smiled awkwardly, a bead of sweat running down his temple. He looked visibly uncomfortable, embarrassed for having caused all the chaos by accident. Leonardo and Aylin, still sprawled on the dry, battle-marked earth, just stared at him with a mix of fury and disbelief.
José looked at the two on the ground, trying to hold a nervous smile.
José:—Ahem… well… the important thing is… we're all alive, right?!
Leonardo and Aylin kept staring, unblinking. Dirt on their faces, hair a mess, bruised all over. Absolute silence.
José (trying to lighten the mood):—Ice cream afterward? My treat…
Aylin slowly raised her hand.
José:—Yeah?
BAM!Aylin threw a stone at his forehead. Nothing serious, but enough to make him step back.
José:—HEY! WHAT THE HECK?! I was just trying to help!
Leonardo (getting up with difficulty):—"Help," he says… almost broke three of my ribs, slammed me against a tree, I ended up eating dirt, and on top of that that machine smelled like rancid oil. AND ALL because you "grabbed the wrong sphere"…
José:—Bro, in my defense… all the spheres look the same. Who designs this stuff? They don't even have little numbers!
Aylin put her hands on her hips.
Aylin:—Maybe if you hadn't been napping like it was Sunday, none of this would've happened.
José raised his hands, defeated.
José:—Okay, okay, I admit it. I screwed up. But look on the bright side: you passed the test!
Leonardo and Aylin looked at each other.
Leonardo:—Wha… WE PASSED?
José:—Yes… technically you had to work as a team, and you did. Or, well, you tried. Or… were in the process. But I've seen enough. Congratulations!
Aylin and Leonardo collapsed on their backs again, staring at the sky.
Leonardo:—I don't know whether to feel proud or ripped off…
Aylin:—I just want my ice cream.
Improved Version:
After the test disaster, Leonardo and Aylin were given a "reward": a day off. Although, to be honest, the only thing free was their schedule—because the pain from the beating stayed with them from morning until night. Between bruises, bandages, and ice on their legs, both spent the day trying to move as little as possible.
October 31, 2025 – Halloween NightLocation: Underground of Origen Academy / Training Center (provisional name: "Origen Complex")
—A powerful voice echoed through the complex's speakers:
Mysterious Voice:—Tonight we celebrate Halloween! So put on your best costumes, because there will be events everywhere and a grand midnight ball. Have fun exploring our multiple themed rooms! Ha, ha, ha, ha… —a witch-like laugh resonated throughout the facility.
Leonardo and Aylin walked through the hallways decorated with artificial cobwebs, lit pumpkins, and dim lights giving a mysterious yet fun atmosphere. They had to choose their costumes for the night.
Leonardo (whispering):—Aylin… do you think they'll let us pick something decent, or will it be another one of José's whims?
Aylin (smiling):—With him, you never know… but at least tonight there are no giant robots chasing us. That's a relief.
Yamileth appeared in an extravagant costume, a mix of witch and elegance.
Yamileth (teasing):—Get ready… some of us have a sense of style, unlike certain idiots running after robotic spheres.
José, carrying boxes of costumes and huffing, entered with clear annoyance:
José (frowning):—Tsk… Halloween. I hate this. Last time they made me dress as a tiger… a complete disaster.
Yamileth (laughing):—Yeah, it looked more like an ugly cat than anything else.
Despite his displeasure, José couldn't resist the joke:
José (pointing at Zen with resignation):—And well… someone has to dress Zen.
Zen, who was nearby, immediately fired back:
Zen:—What? No way! I'm not putting on anything ridiculous.
Leonardo (smirking mischievously):—Come on, Zen… it's just a fun costume.
Aylin (winking at him):—Yeah, you could be… Dorolín, the super cute blue robot-cat.
Zen blinked, both confused and annoyed.
Zen:—"Cute"? That's ridiculous!
But José, sighing and rolling his eyes, approached with Yamileth, and in seconds they began dressing him. They put on the round blue head, the white belly, and the bell collar. Zen tried to resist, moving and protesting:
Zen:—Hey, hey! Let me go! This makes no sense!
Leonardo and Aylin couldn't stop laughing. Zen ended up fully dressed, staring at the mirror with a look that screamed, "I can't believe this is happening."
José (resigned, crossing his arms):—There you go… Dorolín, the clumsiest robot-cat of Origen Academy. Happy now, damn Halloween.
Yamileth (laughing):—You look… a bit silly, but adorable, Zen.
Zen snorted and muttered:
Zen:—This isn't over… someday, I'll get my revenge…
Leonardo and Aylin exchanged glances, still laughing, as they headed toward the main hall, where all the students were starting to show off their costumes and enjoy the party, while José grumbled in a corner, hating every second.
The grand hall was decorated with orange and purple lights, cobwebs hanging from the ceilings, and pumpkins flickering with tiny fireworks. Fun and slightly mysterious music filled the room. Students moved between different themed areas: a mirror maze, a spell-casting zone with light games, and a central ballroom.
Leonardo (whispering to Aylin):—Wow… I've never seen anything like this. Until we arrived at the academy, I didn't even imagine they'd have a Halloween party.
Aylin (smiling while pointing at the dance floor):—And it looks like everyone is taking this very seriously. Look at Zen…
Zen was standing in the middle of the main hall, in his Dorolín costume, the blue robot-cat. His face was serious, as if having fun was a crime, while the other students approached to take pictures and laugh a little at his appearance.
Student 1 (laughing):—Look at Zen! He's Dorolín!
Student 2:—That costume is way too… adorable!
Zen (losing patience):—Adorable? You bastards, I'll gouge your eyes out if you keep looking at me like that!
The crowd, amused and surprised, started running—laughing—while Zen chased them with a fierce glare.
José, sitting in a corner of the hall, grumbled with his hands in his pockets, muttering to himself:
José:—Damn Halloween… same thing every year.
Leonardo and Aylin approached Zen.
Leonardo (laughing):—Come on, Zen… admit it, you look a little funny.
Zen:—NO! I just look… dumb.
Aylin:—Well, dumb or not, we need you to participate in the games. Besides, I promise we won't put you in too much danger…
Zen (snorting, resigned):—Damn it…
First activity: "Pumpkin Race"
The teacher in charge of the party announced the first game: all students had to roll giant pumpkins through a small circuit without letting them go off the track.
Leonardo and Aylin exchanged a mischievous glance. Zen, reluctantly, grabbed his pumpkin in front of everyone else.
José (whispering to Leonardo):—If he survives this without falling… it'll be a miracle.
The start of the race was a comedic disaster: pumpkins colliding with each other, Zen trying to keep his costume on while pushing the pumpkin and almost face-planting, Leonardo laughing as he dodged obstacles, and Aylin moving with agility, weaving around pumpkins like they were projectiles.
Zen (shouting while rolling his pumpkin):—This is impossible! I'm falling on every corner!
Leonardo (laughing):—Just keep rolling, Dorolín!
Finally, Zen crossed the finish line last, his pumpkin slightly dented but intact. His classmates looked at him, laughing and applauding. Zen could only close his eyes and sigh, while the bell on his costume jingled every time he moved his head.
Second activity: Creative Costume Contest
Students paraded along the improvised runway. Aylin wore an elegant sorceress outfit with a touch of bright pink; Leonardo was dressed as a classic adventurer. Zen, as Dorolín, walked with clumsy steps, eliciting more laughter than admiration.
Event judge (looking at Zen and letting out a contained laugh):—I've never seen a Dorolín so… serious. That deserves an extra point for originality.
Zen snorted again.
José remained seated, grumbling, but he couldn't hide a small smile as he watched Zen stumble along the runway.
In the pumpkin-throwing competition, Zen acted out of anger; in the maze challenge, he "accidentally" knocked down a wall; and in the potion contest, he simply blew up the cauldron, eliminating all the other participants. One by one, students fell defeated, humiliated, or fled.
When the event teacher announced the final result, the entire hall went silent.
Teacher:—The undisputed winner of the Halloween Festival is… ZEN.
Timid applause. No one knew if they were clapping out of admiration… or fear of getting hurt.
Zen, with his Dorolín costume completely scorched, lifted the trophy with zero emotion.
Zen:—Yeah… great… is this stupidity over yet?
The crowd clapped louder. Please don't get mad, everyone thought in unison.
After the games, the hall lights shifted to a warm tone, and the music became elegant. It was time for the grand dance.
Aylin (looking at Leonardo and extending her hand):—Will you dance with me?
Leonardo smiled, took her hand, and they walked to the center of the floor. The DJ signaled, the lights focused on them… and the melody began.
At first, slow, gentle steps… then a spin. Leonardo held her by the waist, Aylin placed her hand on his shoulder, and the music exploded into a faster rhythm. The pair moved with almost supernatural synchronicity: precise steps, perfect turns, an elegant dip, and finally a lift that left Aylin suspended for a few seconds under the spotlight.
The crowd erupted.
Student 1 (wide-eyed):—Since when do they dance like that?
Student 2:—They look like they just stepped out of a movie…
Leonardo ended with a bow, Aylin smiled, both breathing heavily, staring at each other as if the world had disappeared. For a moment, the only thing that existed was that dance.
Zen, in a corner holding his trophy, muttered:
Zen:—Great. I win the party… and they steal the show. Fantastic.
But even he smiled a little.
Man (deep voice, taking the microphone from the upper balcony):—Applause for these two young people… who won the dance contest.
The entire hall froze. The music stopped.The joy, laughter, and chaos of the festival vanished instantly, as if someone had cut off the air itself.
All the students stood at attention without hesitation, lining up in seconds. Even Zen, still holding his trophy, wiped the expression of annoyance from his face and assumed a rigid stance. Aylin and Leonardo, still in the center of the floor, lowered their gazes respectfully.
The man descended the steps with confident steps and overwhelming presence. His dark cloak brushed the floor softly, and each step echoed in the silence of the underground hall.
Man:—Your reward will be in your rooms. I trust you will enjoy it… and continue demonstrating discipline and potential.
He stopped in front of them. He did not smile, did not clap. He just watched. His eyes seemed to evaluate every fiber of their being, as if nothing escaped his judgment.
Man (firm gaze):—Starting tomorrow, training will return to its usual intensity. Rest. You'll need it.
Without waiting for a response, he turned and left. The students held their posture until he disappeared down the main hallway.
Only then did murmurs return, timid at first. Zen exhaled sharply.
Zen (whispering):—That man… scares me more than a hundred killer machines.
Aylin and Leonardo exchanged a look; recognition, weight, expectation… and also excitement for what was coming.
The party continued… but nothing felt the same after the leader's presence.
When the festivities ended and the hallways grew quieter, Aylin and Leonardo walked together down the corridor, illuminated by orange and violet lights still flickering from the event.
In front of his room door, Aylin stopped.
Aylin (softly, still with a small smile from the dance):—You were amazing in there… Thank you for trusting me.
Leonardo lowered his gaze for a moment, shy.
Leonardo:—I wouldn't have made it without you. It was… nice.
There was a small, comfortable silence. Aylin gave him a gentle tap on the arm, as if to say "rest" without words, and each of them went into their own room.
A few minutes later, they met in Leonardo's room, as they had agreed, to open the prize together. Zen also arrived, curious.
Inside the boxes, they found new training clothes, reinforced gloves, and a metal bracelet with a symbol neither had seen before. The material was strange, very light, and when touched, it gave off a warm sensation.
Zen:—Tss… you win a contest and they give you expensive toys. How unfair.
Aylin (laughing):—You won the first part of the party, don't complain.
After looking through everything and joking a little, fatigue finally caught up with them. Zen went to his room, and Aylin said her goodbyes as well. Leonardo collapsed onto the bed, closing his eyes, ready to sleep.
—Knock, knock, knock—
Leonardo jumped up abruptly.
ChatGPT dijo:
Leonardo:—Who… at this hour?
He opened the door. Outside was a group of students with flashlights, buckets, and one of them wore fake bat ears.
Student 1 (excited):—Bravery test! It's tradition after the dance. And we already signed you up, so you can't refuse.
Student 2:—Come on, Zen is already downstairs. Only Aylin and you are left. What? Are you going to sleep like a grandpa?
Leonardo just sighed in resignation.
Leonardo:—…Give me two minutes.
The door closed. Two minutes later, in the dark staircase of the underground hallway, Aylin, Leonardo, and Zen were together, surrounded by the rest of the group.
Zen (arms crossed, furious):—I swear if one of these idiots puts another costume on me, I'll burn down the lab.
Aylin couldn't contain her laughter.
Leonardo:—Well… ready for another crazy thing?
Aylin (smiling sideways):—Always.
The lights flickered. The hallway echoed in the distance. And the bravery test… was about to begin.
The students formed groups in front of the tunnel decorated as the "Extreme Horror Passage" (though the sign, badly written, said Pasage del Oror Estremo).
Organizing student:—Only two people at a time. When the first group comes back, the next goes in. No running, screaming too much… or vomiting!
Zen was forced to go in first with a random student nobody really knew well. They went into the tunnel, and after ten minutes of awkward silence outside… a blood-curdling scream came from inside.
Zen's scream:—AAAAAH, MY FUCKING LIFE, WHAT IS THATTTTT!!
Those outside froze.
Silence.
Then, the other student appeared, running back, pale, shaking, and missing a shoe.
Random student:—N-no… don't ask… I… I just… I'm never going back in!
But Zen did NOT come out with him.
The group swallowed.
Organizer:—Well… next group.
By pure chance (or the universe's bad luck), the next pair was Leonardo and Aylin.
Leonardo:—Ready?
Aylin (pretending bravery):—If you don't run, I won't either.
They went in.
Inside the tunnel there were only cheap effects:—A skeleton hanging with a visible rope,—A poorly inflated inflatable zombie,—And a horn that went "BOO" with a badly synced echo.
But even so, the dark atmosphere did its job.
As they moved forward, Aylin accidentally got a little too close to Leonardo.
Aylin:—It's not that I'm scared… but I'm going to walk… right here… really close to you… just in case.
Leonardo (red):—O-of course, tactical security. Very professional. Yes.
They moved a little further.
And suddenly…
Something red fell from above with a giant PLOF! that kicked up dust.
They both screamed at the same time:
Leonardo and Aylin:—AAAHHH!!
The red creature stood up, trembling, wrapped in a stained blanket, with red paint from head to toe, eyes wide like a madman.
"Creature":—Grrrrr… g-g-go away… or… cough cough… wait, I swallowed paint…
It was Zen.
He had tripped, rolled down some stairs inside the tunnel, and the blanket got tangled… while he fell onto a bucket of red paint.
The result:A clumsy, ugly, red monster, traumatizing all future groups.
Leonardo (laughing out loud):—ZEN, YOU LOOK LIKE A KILLER TAMALE.
Aylin, laughing breathlessly:—Or a little demon burrito.
Zen, outraged, exploded:
Zen:—DON'T MESS WITH ME! I WAS TRYING TO SCARE YOU! THE FALL HURT, DAMN IT!
But when they came out of the tunnel together…
All the students outside saw Zen wrapped up, red, messy-haired, and breathing like a beast, and they started running, screaming in fear throughout the building.
Zen stood there, confused, while Aylin and Leonardo laughed so hard they could barely walk.
After that, everyone went to their rooms, but the next morning—
José kicked open Leonardo's door.
José:—Good morning, adventurous kid! Today you get to run non-stop for one hour!
Leonardo almost had a heart attack.
End of Episode 3